Fact Check: "Wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, knocking the yacht over in 15 seconds."
What We Know
On August 19, 2024, the luxury superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm. An interim report from the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) indicated that wind speeds exceeded 70 knots (approximately 81 mph) at the time of the incident. The report stated that these extreme winds "violently" knocked the yacht over to a 90-degree angle in under 15 seconds, leading to the tragic loss of seven lives, including tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter, Hannah Lynch (BBC, WRAL, Mirror).
Investigators noted that the yacht was particularly vulnerable to such wind conditions, especially with its sails down and centerboard up, which contributed to its instability (Al Jazeera). The MAIB's modelling suggested that wind speeds above 73 mph could result in capsizing if the wind was directed across the beam of the yacht (BBC, Global News).
Analysis
The claim that wind speeds exceeded 70 knots and caused the yacht to capsize in 15 seconds is supported by multiple credible sources. The MAIB's interim report is a primary source of this information, detailing the conditions leading to the capsizing and the rapidity with which the yacht was knocked over. The report's findings are based on modelling conducted by the University of Southampton, which adds a layer of scientific analysis to the situation (BBC, Mirror).
The credibility of the MAIB is high, as it is a governmental body responsible for investigating marine accidents in the UK. The report is part of an ongoing investigation, and while it is based on a limited amount of verified evidence due to restrictions from a criminal investigation by Italian authorities, it provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the capsizing (BBC, WRAL).
Moreover, the consistency across various reports from reputable news organizations such as the BBC, WRAL, and Al Jazeera reinforces the reliability of the claim. All sources corroborate the timeline and the wind speeds reported, indicating that the yacht was indeed subjected to extreme weather conditions that led to its rapid capsizing.
Conclusion
The claim that "wind speeds exceeded 70 knots, knocking the yacht over in 15 seconds" is True. The evidence from the MAIB's interim report and corroborating news sources confirms that the yacht was subjected to extreme wind conditions that resulted in its capsizing within a remarkably short time frame.
Sources
- Bayesian crew unaware wind speeds of over 73mph could ...
- The recovered Bayesian superyacht transferred to Sicilian port ... - WRAL
- Bayesian superyacht mystery as seven killed in capsize horror - report ...
- Tycoon Mike Lynch's yacht toppled by 'extreme wind', UK ...
- Extreme wind blamed for superyacht sinking that killed 7 last year ...
